IPL 2021, Final: CSK vs KKR, Stats Preview: Player records and approaching milestones

It will be Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in the high-voltage final clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The all-important encounter takes place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday (October 15). The two sides have enjoyed a sensational run this season and it would be interesting to see how the ultimate match pans out.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been nothing but consistent this season as they embraced every challenge won one game after another. Although defeats in the last three league-stage matches somewhat dented their momentum, a thrilling four-wicket win in Qualifier 1 took them to the final summit clash. On the other hand, KKR’s journey this season makes a perfect script for a Bollywood blockbuster.

Having lost five of their first seven games, Eoin Morgan’s looked entirely down and out during the season suspension. However, the UAE leg changed their fortunes drastically as KKR became a force to reckon with. Subsequently, they astonishingly qualified for the playoffs and defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 respectively.

Notably, both sides have been in the final before and have even tasted success. While KKR have lifted the twice, CSK have three trophies in their cabinet. The two teams even met in the 2012 IPL final where KKR registered a five-wicket win. Hence, it would be interesting to see if history repeats itself of the Men in Yellow get the glory.

Meanwhile, let’s look at important stats and numbers ahead of the Final of the Indian Premier League 2021:

Head-to-head record:  CSK are ahead of KKR in terms of head-to-head record in IPL. In 25 clashes, CSK have won 16 games while KKR emerged winners 8 times. One of their clashes resulted in a draw.

9 – Eoin Morgan needs 9 runs to become the 13th player to complete 1000 runs for KKR in IPL.

3 – Dinesh Karthik needs 3 dismissals to become the second wicketkeeper to effect 150 dismissals in IPL. MS Dhoni (161) is currently the lone holder of the record.

1 –Bravo also needs just one more wickets to overtake Amit Mishra and become the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. Both Bravo and Mishra have 166 scalps at the moment. Lasith Malinga (170) tops this list.

55 – Robin Uthappa is 55 runs shy of completing 7000 runs in T20 cricket.

1 – Ambati Rayudu is just one big hit away from completing 200 sixes in T20 cricket.

1 – One strike over the fence will also see Rayudu completing 150 sixes in the Indian Premier League.

84 –Rayudu needs 84 runs to become the 9th Indian and 12th overall to slam 4000 runs in IPL.

7 – Andre Russell is 7 hits away from completing 150 sixes in IPL.

48 – Sunil Narine can complete 1000 IPL runs. He’s 48 runs away from the milestone. Narine would become the first all-rounder to score over 1000 runs and take over 100 wickets for KKR in IPL.

1– Dinesh Karthik is on the verge of becoming the 11th player to smash 400 fours in IPL. He is just one away from the landmark.

8 – Karthik can also complete 200 sixes in T20 format. However, he needs as many as eight hits over the rope to get the feat.